St. Mary's 100th Anniversary

The ending weeks of August are always hectic, busy and even exciting as students and their families begin a new school year. As students were finishing up their summer reading, I had the opportunity to read more about the early days of St. Mary’s and St. Anne’s in Shrewsbury and St. Mary of the Hills in Boylston. This September 10th marks the 100th anniversary of St. Mary’s Parish and the appointment of Fr. Thomas F. McKoan as the first Pastor . Happy 100th Birthday St. Mary’s Parish! We are looking forward to celebrating our 100th Anniversary on September 11th with a Mass & Reception as we open a year long observance of our centennial. Please be sure to join us!

Fr. McKoan was born in Worcester in 1878 and grew up in St. Paul’s Parish (now the Cathe- dral). He attended Holy Cross and graduated in 1900 before heading to the seminary in Montre- al. A priest of the Springfield diocese at the time of his Ordination in 1904, Fr. McKoan served in Orange, Southboro, Millbury, Palmer, the Cathedral in Springfield and Petersham. He came to Shrewsbury on September 10, 1922 as the first resident pastor. Previous to this date a priest living in Northboro served the Catholic families in our town. Mass had been held in the small St. Theresa’s Church (1872) on Main Street, but the growth of the town demanded a larger church.

Under Fr. McKoan’s direction the construction of the first St. Mary’s Church on Summer Street began. At the same time, a church similar in design, but larger, was also built on the land behind St. Ann’s Cemetery to serve the increasing number of Catholics in the lake section of town. Fr. McKoan named it the “twin church project” and was so proud to witness the dedication of both churches on the very same day in 1924. Two years later Fr. McKoan was named pastor for the people of Boylston where he celebrated Mass in a parishioner’s home until a new church was built.

All these years later our three parishes, now with three pastors, have continued to experience further growth and expansion. We look forward to the year ahead as we revitalize our celebra- tions of Mass and the sacraments and recharge our parish ministries and activities following the challenges we have faced with the Pandemic. Happy Fall. Happy Anniversary! Happy New Beginnings!